The correct answer. When you have the two best players on the planet, each of whom is in their primes at the same time, and you have already won a Cup, there is no room for anything but another championship. I don't care about meaningless regular season winning streaks, nor do I don't care about President's Trophy. I don't even care about winning the Eastern Conference. They don't throw parades for those things.

It's Stanley Cup or bust for this group and that was true the moment the lockout ended and it's certainly true today.

I would assume there was a heavt dose of sarcasm in MacLean's comment. He is not a throw in the towle guy, nor is his team. If they were, they would be in last place already with all of the talent they have lost.

Are we clearly hands down better than Chicago? I will need to see this team perform on the ice before I reach this conclusion. Personally, I don't recall the amazing chemistry and results of Iggy and Sid in the Olympics, except for THE goal. And we haven't been able to play any West teams this year to test ourselves against them, I think CHI and ANA are both better than the closest competition we have in the East. So... I think it's SCF or BUST, but won't go planning a victory parade just yet. GMRS put us in the best possible position to make it happen, though.

Great58 wrote:Are we clearly hands down better than Chicago? I will need to see this team perform on the ice before I reach this conclusion. Personally, I don't recall the amazing chemistry and results of Iggy and Sid in the Olympics, except for THE goal. And we haven't been able to play any West teams this year to test ourselves against them, I think CHI and ANA are both better than the closest competition we have in the East. So... I think it's SCF or BUST, but won't go planning a victory parade just yet. GMRS put us in the best possible position to make it happen, though.

I don't think anyone here is over-reacting saying plan the parade. We're all cautious, but it's hard to argue that Iginla is a huge improvement.

Great58 wrote:Are we clearly hands down better than Chicago? I will need to see this team perform on the ice before I reach this conclusion. Personally, I don't recall the amazing chemistry and results of Iggy and Sid in the Olympics, except for THE goal. And we haven't been able to play any West teams this year to test ourselves against them, I think CHI and ANA are both better than the closest competition we have in the East. So... I think it's SCF or BUST, but won't go planning a victory parade just yet. GMRS put us in the best possible position to make it happen, though.

Yes - as critical as I have been with Fleury, Fleury and Vokoun are hands-down better than Emery and Crawford. In addition, give me our forwards over their top 9. Toews and Kane are not in the same class as Malkin and Crosby. Their team D is not that good either.

1. Do not forget that the Rangers were crowned Kings of the East long before the season began. They are now fighting for their playoff lives.

2. Do not forget 1993, where that team's talent makes this team look like the Nashville Predators.

3. Do not forget 2004, where a team with Forsberg, Kariya, Tanguay, Selanne, Sakic, Blake, Foote, and Hejduk only won a single playoff series.

4. Do not forget that we are not getting Iginla/Morrow circa 2008. They are 35 years old. That is old in hockey years. Not ancient-but old. They have talent, no doubt, but not as much as they once had.

As far as I'm concerned anybody who thinks we already won the Stanley Cup should reflect on history and realize we have a long, long, long way to go before that dream becomes a reality*. I can't remember a post-season I've been more excited for since Ottawa in Sid's second season. Enjoy the run.

*I know that mentality is much less prevalent here than in some other corners of the internet...

In the off season if we do not bring back Iginla, Morrow, and Murray. We still have a top 5 team going into next year. With Despres and Bennett probably finally being full time starters. Bortuzzo probably being an official bottom pair...we have another good team going forward.

So I don't know why people are calling it a Bust. WE can resign all of our core players next year, and maybe 2 of the 3 rentals if they take reasonable cuts.

This isn't bust. It's all in this year, with a complete re-buy option next year.

Great58 wrote:Are we clearly hands down better than Chicago? I will need to see this team perform on the ice before I reach this conclusion. Personally, I don't recall the amazing chemistry and results of Iggy and Sid in the Olympics, except for THE goal. And we haven't been able to play any West teams this year to test ourselves against them, I think CHI and ANA are both better than the closest competition we have in the East. So... I think it's SCF or BUST, but won't go planning a victory parade just yet. GMRS put us in the best possible position to make it happen, though.

Yes - as critical as I have been with Fleury, Fleury and Vokoun are hands-down better than Emery and Crawford. In addition, give me our forwards over their top 9. Toews and Kane are not in the same class as Malkin and Crosby. Their team D is not that good either.

I agree with each point of your assessment. But the Hawks have been winning consistently playing dominant hockey over the past 3 months. We've only been doing it for a month, and now we're completely retooling. Even if Morrow doesn't play to his hoped for potential and Murray only plays in select series (such as Boston), I do believe we have gotten very much better this week simply with the addition of depth, plus Iginla. Just need to put in in motion now.

The sum of my thoughts is that a loss in the Finals to a Hawks team wouldn't signify to me a busted season or effort, but I hope to never have to test those emotions.

It's hard to imagine the Pens loosing a 4 games out of 7 to anyone the way they are playing right now. I'd really hate to be this strong all the way up until the playoffs only to see them take a nose dive at some point.

Anything can happen. Hockey is not "bought & paid for" which is why so many of us love it. Anything can happen and crazy stuff always does.

A team from the west (Chicago) could come and we have the best 7 game SC series going 7 games and 7 overtimes in the final game! If they lose, they lose, so be it. Enjoy the moment people, a team like this current one is so rarely assembled that its nearly impossible to keep it together (remember, cap going down next year).